Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

[CaptainZombie]

Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

How does everyone feel about superhero games having an open ended level design like GTA? I have played quite a few of the superhero games and I have enjoyed the open ended games much better than the ones that set you on a straight path without being able to do much.

I have listed some games from both game engines. Which type does everyone prefer, the open ended universe or the strict level design type? I like the open ended since you are able to save civilians via side-missions while working on the main mission.

Games with a strict level design are also fun. I hope Superman: Returns has somewhat of an open ended design also.

Open Ended Games:

• Spider-Man 2
• Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
• Ultimate Spider-Man

Strict Level Design Games:

• The Punisher
• Superman: The Man of Steel
• Fantastic Four
• Spider-Man: The Movie
• Hulk
• Batman Begins
• X-Men Legends I & II

[matthewk]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

I will always prefer open ended games. I haven't played any of the 3 open ended ones you listed, so I guess I'm going to have to try those.

I love the X-men Legends games, but I hate how restrictive the levels are.

I think superhero games have a great potential for improvement. The closest thing to an ideal superhero game I've seen so far has been Freedom Force on the PC. I'm just dying for a game like Freedom Force that controls like X-Men legends. I can't believe superhero games are still so narrowly focused.

[WTF]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Well, I don't play any superhero games, but if I did, I would want an open ended one. I hate restrictive games.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

I will always prefer open ended games. I haven't played any of the 3 open ended ones you listed, so I guess I'm going to have to try those.

I love the X-men Legends games, but I hate how restrictive the levels are.

I think superhero games have a great potential for improvement. The closest thing to an ideal superhero game I've seen so far has been Freedom Force on the PC. I'm just dying for a game like Freedom Force that controls like X-Men legends. I can't believe superhero games are still so narrowly focused.

That is why games like GTA and True Crime have been so successful is to the open ended architecture. Open ended works so well I think in superhero games as long as it's done right. Allowing you to save civilians w/ side missions makes it really fun.

[WTF]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Is spiderman 2 BC for the 360? I'd like to give it a shot if it's fun.

[Victor99]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

I've always like open ended games in general, like Morrowind and GTA. I like exploring and what not.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Is spiderman 2 BC for the 360? I'd like to give it a shot if it's fun.

It's not.

[Dealin Rams]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

All that said, it needs to be done right. Too open ended can be a bad thing. Take Spiderman 2, for instance. Really fun game four about 10 hours. Then, horrificly boring. Why? Because the open-endedness of the game got horribly repetitive. I still recommend checking it out, but I have reservations about Superhero games that are open-ended in that way. It can be as much of a curse as it can be a good thing.

Also, I think a level-based Superhero game still can be great - particularly with Superman. Unfortunately, no one's done it yet.

[SPTO]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

I think games that are TOO open ended tend to get boring fast. I also think that with the superhero genre you need some structure to it. The best thing would be a game that has SOME structure while at the same time allows players to roam a bit.

A good example (sorry it's not superhero) is a game like GUN. Yes I know it's on the short side but the world is pretty immersive and while it has structure you're still free to roam about.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Speaking of X-Men Legends... Does anyone else think it would be cool to have a game playing as Magneto and the bad guys taking on the X-Men?

[The C]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Give me a quality game first and foremost.

But give me a lot of freedom and with random events happening throughtout my area.

The more the game draws me in, making me feel like the superhero, the better.

[Graphik]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

Well, I don't play any superhero games, but if I did, I would want an open ended one. I hate restrictive games.

Same here. I stay away from restricted games like the plague. Cant remember the last time I played one. I think we've gotten to a point in games where all games should have some level of open endedness. I dont meen strictly Morrowind or GTA openendedness but at least something with a level design that involves having multiple paths to accomplish your goal or diffrent choices a user can make for some type of branching story line. A game thats to restricted or linear has 0 replay value. I can only stomach games that you can at the very least allow you to things diffrent in a single level. Hitman and Riddick comes to mind with that.

[videobastard]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

I like the open ended games more.

[matthewk]

Re: Superhero Games: Open Ended vs. Strict Level Design

So how is Ultimate Spider-Man? I see it's less than $30 now, but is that because it's not any good? It just came out a few months ago. Can you go search out villans in any order, or is the free-roaming like SM2 where you can't do anything with villans? I have a 5 year old son that loves Star Wars Legos and Battlefront. I think a lot of that has to do with the ability to vary the gameplay and not be restricted to a set path. He also loves Spider-man, so I'm hoping this game is similar in that respect.

Back onto X-Men legends for a minute. My favorite part of those games is the skirmish mode. I love taking 2 groups of characters and just having a big fight with them My inner child just refuses to die (I'm 35).